Eberechi Eze etched his name into North London derby folklore with a stunning hat-trick, leading Arsenal to a resounding 4-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. The win propelled Arsenal six points clear at the top of the Premier League table, further solidifying their title aspirations.
The Gunners dominated their rivals from the outset, with Leandro Trossard opening the scoring in the first half. A clever pass from Mikel Merino found Trossard, who controlled the ball expertly before slotting it past Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. Eze then took center stage, scoring the second goal with a powerful right-footed shot from the edge of the area.
Just seconds after the restart, Eze struck again, sending the Emirates into raptures with a beautiful finish into the bottom corner. Although Richarlison pulled one back for Tottenham with a long-range effort that caught Arsenal keeper David Raya off his line, Eze completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute, sealing a memorable win for the Gunners. Trossard assisted Eze's third goal.
Eze's performance was particularly sweet, considering his past connection with Tottenham. The attacking midfielder was close to joining Spurs in the summer transfer window but ultimately chose to move to Arsenal. According to reports, Eze, a boyhood Arsenal fan, decided to join the Gunners after a conversation with manager Mikel Arteta. Before Arsenal signed him for £67.5 million, Eze won the FA Cup and Community Shield with Crystal Palace.
The hat-trick marked a historic moment, as Eze became the first player to score a hat-trick in a North London derby since Alan Sunderland in 1978. Only Ted Drake and Terry Dyson have previously achieved this feat in the history of the North London Derby.
Arsenal's manager, Mikel Arteta, praised Eze's impact on the team, stating that he brings an "aura" that was needed. Arteta also noted Eze's dedication and desire to improve. Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry even suggested that Eze's performance could see him move ahead of Martin Ødegaard in the pecking order.
Tottenham's manager, Thomas Frank, humorously downplayed Eze's ability before the game, but he surely knows who Eze is now. Overall, it was a dominant display by Arsenal, who exposed Tottenham's defensive frailties and extended their unbeaten run against their North London rivals. The Gunners are now in a strong position at the top of the Premier League, with their sights firmly set on a title challenge.
